Mudit & dmagic stone

Tanya's Message

Dear CheMeLingprisNieBinn...

Gan-en for the journey in The legend of Dragonville. I hope the song below which we have chosen bring us back on the learning among ourselves and with Alex...his message: "our need to calm the dragon instead of to placate it..."

The lyrics of the song gives me a deeper reflection on what Tanya's thoughts were as she gazed at the water in the lake, sea..the sky opened up and the mountains disappeared... As I pasted the 6pictures that each of us drawn during Alex's tutorial, it seemed to fit into the lyrics of the song too. How could it be so 'gumn ahh?'

It seemed no co-incident this song was chosen as it also has a hidden dragon too.

"I-ling...siasia ni for teaching me internet archieve and i did it!"

Continue to read and sing as long as the song is playing while the black dragon slowly emerges... It helps me to deepened my thoughts on who I am, what I want to do...*like to share this feelings with you all too...





If the sky opened up for me,
And the mountains disappeared,
If the seas ran dry, turned to dust
And the sun refused to rise
I would still find my way,
By the light I see in your eyes.
The world I know fades away
But you stay.











As the earth reclaims its due,
And the cycle starts anew,
We'll stay, always
In the love that we have
Shared before time.






If the years take away
Every memory that I have
I would still know the way
That would lead me
Back to your side
The North star may die
But the light that
I see in your eyes
Will burn there always
Lit by the love we have shared before time.





When the forest turns to jade
And the stories that we've made.
Dissolve away...
One shining light
Will still remain.






When we shed our earthly skin,
And when our real life begins,
There'll be no shame
Just the love that
We have made before time.






Wish all of you well and happy always...be in the present...

Performed By CoCo Lee
Music by Jorge Calandrelli & Tan Dun Lyric by James Schamus
from: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
http://www.archive.org/details/LoveB4Time

Our Reflections...

Hip Hip Hurray...to I-Ling Melinda...

am trying to find the most beautiful word to describe the ALS team as we are about to close the learning on Therapeutic use of stories... Racing against time I-Ling and Melinda have completed the audio-story and e-book having the final make-up to The Legend of Dragonville. The last few days of meetings on skype after all the members came together and put in all the therapeutic ingredients needed.
We have a beautiful song dl by I-ling: Crouching Tiger & Hidden dragon as the theme song with narration by each member and complimented with a beautiful story book by Melinda.

For the Group Reflection report, I read with joy and inspiration the members reflection. It was the most beautiful story book I have ever read...so authentic and congruent. I was not able to attach here but instead sent a pdf file to all of you. It has been a wonderful journey and I looked forward to start the next project on Therapeutic use of Group, knowing it will be another challenging and learning module with the team.



A little pat on our shoulders as Phaik Nie puts it that "we surely have grown from Small world play..." ahemmmmm

ALS - 6PS

These feelings were written on Aug 10, somehow I did not managed to post it earlier as there is still more to write. I decided to trim it and continue with the other part...

Looking at the 6part story: the cards picked by each ALS member during the last tutorial with Alex. The story line we created one after another from the Character, Task, Obstacle, Helper, Turning point and Aftermath...I read the original line over and over again.
Though the lines of the 5 pictures were not written by me, I reflected on what was written and my feelings about it?



In a nutshell: The legend of Dragonville was about this beautiful girl and the black dragon staying beneath the lake. The beautiful girl has to sing to it to calm it down so that there will be no disaster to the village.
The witch created the thunderstorm and the sound of the fake waterfall.. trying to stop the girl from reaching the lake to sing to the black dragon. The test for the girl to listen to the real sound of the waterfall. Finally step by step she found her way and managed to hum to the dragon who decided to stay calm...and the villagers rejoice...

My reflections on the learning: The task of the CPPD 09 was no easy journey... how much more to learn, how much more to reveal: Google more learning materials and links related to SWP, Therapeutic story and Therapeutic Group which is yet to start for the project proper... Certain parts of the modules were really testing one's patience, determination and strength to continue. How deep was the lake surrounded by the high mountains, sometimes it is really overwhelming. What will happened if I don't complete my assignment? I will be holding the team back? How does that makes me feel? My sense of responsibility?



Each member seemed to have their individual strength to compliment one another at some point in time, providing information, teaching how to link up:audactiy, google docs, you tube and etc... Whole area of learning, relearn and unlearn...
Sometimes being met with moments of silence...the team seemed to disintegrate and back again.

Many many hours spent on skype, post story in blog, assuming duties to put the story together, finding the right music + song Finally We managed to soar through to complete the base story... Its like a Heros'journey where we need to let go of the old self to moved on...



When we were putting the story together how we negotiate when disagreements came in, putting the story together. How one felt when her story line was different. The need to pause and think before the line of another was erased...Why I felt strongly I want the name to be this n not that, the line should be that and not this...
There were always moments of play and support from one another to ride together till the end. We do agree with one another very well...Ok la, no problem! (did not want the black dragon to wake up... however, "is a little roar ok?" Maybe the dragon only shows its head or tail ya... *gan-en x10 for always having to take on the IT load.
(tergendala)



And now to prepare the next challenge to complete the mission impossible within the next 1-2days with more thoughts to ponder at this moment while we are putting in to complete the group reflection-report, the Journey continues...

From Darkness to Light

6 Part Story of TUOS ALS - 6-08-09

Phaik nie -2 / Character: Once upon a time, there was a beautiful lady who stayed near to lake Dragon. She was pretty, sweet and generous. In the lake, there was a black dragon who stayed deep in the lake.




I-ling -9 / Task: The lake dragon was surrounded by the most harmonious mountain, and this mountain was used to be as the GOD of TATA, the god of mountain protected the harmonious land where the sweet lady stayed, and it's also kept an eye on the black dragon
The sweet lady was a guardian of the black dragon in the deep sea. Each evening, she had to sing a song to comfort the dragon in the sea. According to the legend in their village, the lady was needed to do this task if not… the villagers believed there would be a disaster on their village



Melinda-4 / Obstacle: At the Forbidden Mountain, there lived a wicked witch who wanted the black dragon to wake up from its sleeps to create havoc to the town. So, every given opportunity she tried to stop the sweet generous lady from coming and sing her song. At one time, she made a thunderstorm so bad that the lady could hardly find the way to the lake.




Cheng- 12 / Helper: The sound of the waterfall would lead her in the direction of the lake so she could get there to sing




SeokBinn-20 / Turning Point: The witch would try all her best to stop the sweet lady to follow the sound of the waterfall by creating a false waterfall sound to lead the sweet lady to the other direction of the mountain and she get lost.
(Suddenly a unicorn appears in front of her and brings her back to original lake where the black dragon stayed). Came late from SB so cannot add – alex






Pris-25 / Aftermath: Lost in the thunderstorm and not able to hear the sound of the waterfall which was created by the witch, the sweet lady listened with her heart and found the way to the lake taking one step at a time. As she hummed the tune of the song, the path seemed clear for her taking every step...
She felt relief that she was able spread her love and care to the black dragon at the bottom of the lake by singing to it...The black dragon decided not to emerge from the lake and gave peace to the world while the dove spread the message of love to all.

The Legend of the One-eyed Dragon

Once a upon a time in the village of Peka there lived a beautiful lady by the name of Dana whose skin as white as snow and her heart as warm as gold. Every evening Dana never failed to stand by the lake of Peka and wonders what lies deep within the lake? At the same time hoping and wishing that "beings" that stayed beneath the lake are well and happy.
When Dana was a little girl, her grandmother used to tell her the story of a one-eyed dragon that emerged from the lake once a while. The villagers were very fearful of that day as disaster may occurred depending on the mood of the black dragon.



The surrounding of the lake was serene, quiet and peaceful... Beautiful white flowers bloomed from the water plants around the lake. However they only lasted for a day and the villagers would gather there in the evenings to enjoy the view and the scented flowers. At that moment they were not weary of the 1 eyed black dragon that stayed beneath the lake.
Dana wondered whether what grandmother told her about the 1-eyed black dragon was true?




"The one-eye dragon was actually a prince named Savin from the Kingdom of Peka. He was cast a magic spell by the witch Adina. The witch Adina cast the spell on the prince as he did not honor his promise to her after she had granted him his wishes to have magical powers. The witch was very angry and hurt and determined to punish Prince Sarvin."






Dana wished she could break the spell that witch Adina had cast on Prince Sarvin. How can all be friends instead of being entangle in their revenge.
Dana dreamed that she must collect 3 bottles of pure water from the River Viri if she wanted to break the spell of the one eye dragon. With the 8month and 8day drawing near Dana planned how she could help to pour the holy water from River Viri onto the black dragon's eye to set it free.




When night fell on the 8month 8night, all seemed quiet by the lake side. Dana covered herself with her cloak. A while later there seemed to be some movement in the lake like a whirlpool effect. Suddenly the dragon emerged from the sides of the lake. It decided to take a rest...Dana held her breath and quietly tip toe near to the black dragon and splashed the 'special water into its face and one eye...".
The dragon roared loudly in pain, the wind blew strongly and sky changed. thunderstorm roared and it rained heavily...
The dragon was bathed in the rain and suddenly it was transformed into a Unicorn! The unicorn shook the water from its white body, roared in joy, leaped and vanished into the sky.




Dana was so happy that she was able to free the one eye dragon. The villagers came out from their huts and danced in joy as the magic spell on the village of Peka was lifted and the villagers did not live in fear anymore.
Dana felt mother earth was able to breathe again with white dove spreading the good news to mankind.

The message in the story: Compassion overcomes all obstacles, we need to be aware and honor our words. Light over darkness.

I need to read it through again for more Reflections with the pictures.

CaNOX

It was midnight. Everyone was asleep when a group of small animals scurried across the grounds of the forest. "Is everyone here...?" asked the biggest animal of the group quietly. "Yes" whispered the second largest animal. Before the group of animals knew it, dawn broke through the trees and they stood in their tracks to admire the enchanted view that stretched across their vary eyes. "This is it!...this is where we will call home" exclaimed the biggest of the lot in a triumphant tone.


The group of small animals were a family of skunks who traveled far and arrived at the very middle of Lution forest, a forest teeming with life and food. They would never become hungry again. The group consisted of a papa skunk, mama skunk and among them was a small baby name Canox barely a few months old.

The skunk family thus settled into Lution forest and quickly established their home. Everything was perfect whereby there was a nice little river for them if they were thirsty, fruit trees nearby in case they were hungry, and a wide space for little Canox to run around.

Everything was going smoothly for the skunk family when the inevitable seemed to fall upon them. Mama skunk went missing. Baby Canox who was still small didn’t know what happened that day and took upon himself to ask papa skunk “Papa where’s mama? It’s getting late and mama still isn’t home yet”. Papa skunk at that moment in time could only looked at little Canox; rubbed with his sad face, turned around and walked away.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.

Mama skunk did not return and Canox grew into a very quiet shy and withdrawn skunk. He never knew what happen to mama skunk and thus blamed himself and everything around him for causing mama skunk to run away.

In school, Canox kept to himself. Also, because he was a skunk, most students would keep their distance due to stories told by their parents that skunks were smelly creatures and they originated from a smelly place. All these rumours did not go down well with Canox and only made him more withdrawn and reserved. The only friends he had were a squirrel named Qwert and a mouse named Poiuy.

The three of them would always be together before school and after school. If there was any gathering among students, the three friends would always be seen together. “Oh, look it’s those three again” students would say when they passed by. It did not help the situation as Canox, Qwert and Poiuy were extremely shy and kept to themselves when separated.

One day the school bully Weasel along with his gang approached the three friends after school. Weasel and gang cornered them at the school gate; “Hey there Canox, Qwert, Poiuy...” said Weasel in a sly tone. “Where you of too?” asked a member of the gang. The three friends stammered and said they were going home to do a school project together. Weasel then said “ok, well I think you need some protection from us and you Canox will have to give us 5 berries, you Qwert and Poiuy 5 nuts each... You better pay up or else...!” Weasel said aloud to the three friends and left.

The three friends did not know what to do and were afraid of what would happen if they didn’t pay up. Thus, from that day onwards, Weasel and gang would collect 5 berries from Canox and 5 nuts each from Qwert and Poiuy every morning before school starts at the gate.

This situation went on for months without anyone knowing. Weasel knew that extorting from this particular group would be beneficial because they were timid and would not tell anyone of their ordeal.
This was true because one afternoon, papa skunk noticed that Canox lost some weight. Papa skunk asked “Canox, is anything wrong? You seem to be thinner, eating well in school?” and all Canox could reply was “yes pa, everything is ok” and this situation also applied to Poiuy and Qwert.

One particular day after school, Canox was walking slowly back home because he was hungry and had no energy to run. He was walking through a patch of tall grass when he heard some commotion going on. He peeped through the long grass and saw that Weasel and gang were beating up Poiuy and Qwert. Apparently, Poiuy was having trouble giving 5 nuts to Weasel and it was going on for 3 days. Thus Weasel decided to show them he meant business. Qwert was beaten up because he tried to stop Weasel and gang from beating Poiuy.


Canox watched in horror as his friends got beaten up and suddenly one member of the gang spotted Canox. The gang members turned to face Canox and rushed to catch him too. Canox was now cornered and Weasel the head of them said “oh... you saw... well we’ll teach you a lesson so that you’ll keep your mouth shut!” thus the whole gang started to beat Canox.

Canox screamed in pain and anger built inside of him. Suddenly canox could not control anymore and screamed loud with anger!! For a few moments there was silence and everything seemed blurry. After regaining focus, Canox saw that Weasel and gang were on the ground choking and pinching their noses. After a few seconds they realized Canox was looking at them and suddenly the whole gang ran like the wind and soon enough they disappeared from sight.


Canox did not know what happened and when he went up to see his friends, he noticed that their jaws were opened and that they were staring at him. Poiuy exclaimed “you saved us, you’re our hero Canox”. Canox was confused because from his friends explanation, he was said to have let out a spray of gas that choked the entire gang causing them to run away.
The three friends walked home fearing no more of Weasel. When Canox reached home, papa skunk saw him in bruises and asked immediately “Canox what happened to you?!” Canox then started explaining to papa skunk exactly what happened and also how his friends told him that he saved their lives.

After hearing Canox’s ordeal papa skunk told him in a quiet manner “son, follow me... I want to show you something”. Papa shunk then lead Canox on a small pathway. After a while they reached a garden where beautiful flowers were growing from a mound on the ground. There was a little wooden plate with the words: May peace be with you My Love...and that was when papa skunk explained to Canox what happened to his mama.

Apparently on that unfortunate day, a snake was slithering around and spotted baby Canox playing. Before the snake could prey on Canox, mama skunk came in between Canox and sprayed the snake. The snake out of anger used its tail to hit mama skunk because of the putrid smell. Mama skunk was thrown off the ground and its head hit on a rock and she died...

Finally Canox came to know on that dreadful day mama skunk gave her life to save him. Canox now knew that he was given a special weapon within; that is the ability to secrete a putrid smelling gas at predators.
Papa skunk then went on to say “Son, because you now know you have a special weapon, you cannot use it always... with great power comes great responsibility”

From that day onwards, Canox was a different skunk all together. He was sociable, more outgoing, and not withdrawn like how he used to be. Canox knew what happened to his mama and it was not his fault that she died. Also, he found his true purpose in life which is to protect his friends and himself from danger.


The moral of the story is to be able to stand up for oneself and not react when it is too late. One must know how to be assertive at the right time yet practice kindness and compassion for all.

~ the end ~

Gan-en=grateful

In this post, I would like to say Gan-en to Seok Binn, I-link and Melinda for helping me to complete 2/3 of the story telling assignment, less the puppet show. My heart felt thanks to SeokBinn for sending me the links to Audacity and Lame
...Bravo!I managed to download Audacity and got my voice recorded.Then I m lost as to how to post it on my blog. I-ling helped to convert to an mp3 file and put on Internet Archive and finally posting it on the blog. I am lost here... To Melinda for the motivation to strive on ... and Phaik Nie for keeping us updated on available links in "Storytelling".

prince khema storytelling

hiya...
my audio

The Lonely Prince Khema ~

Character:

A long time ago in the kingdom of Sati lived a lonely Prince named Khema. Prince Khema was the only son of King Vama and Queen Suria. When Prince Khema was born, King Vama and Queen Suria were very happy and at the same time became very protective of him too. Being their only son and heir to the throne, King Vama made sure that Prince Khema had the best of what was available so that he will be happy. Unknowingly Prince Khema became self centered and selfish while growing up and he wondered why?

Task: Prince Khema wished to be a wise king when he takes over from his father. However the years of loneliness made him felt he was incompetent. Yet at the same time he was fighting with himself that he needed to have someone who could give him the magic power and wisdom.

Obstacle: He called for a meeting with Savin his personal attendant… “Tell me Sarvin, how can I be happy? I find one part of my heart missing, sometimes it made my breathing difficult and my heart is in pain. At times I felt sad and lonely... How can I be a wisdom king one day or is there a magic potion available...? (sigh...)

Sarvin: “No…no… my prince don’t feel this way… You will be our wisdom king…we will seek the help of Baloo, the wise man. He will come if we invite him… I will send Koki (the bird) to inform him. He stayed in Mt Serai.”(pointing out to the range of mountains).

Prince Khema: “Quick, summon for Baloo to come immediately. This lonliness is too much to bear and making me very very sad and lonely, being trapped all these years!!"

That night, Prince Khema had a strange dream. He was tossing in bed. Suddenly he sat up, sweat trickled from his forehead and panting heavily. He touched his body and realized that it was a dream and heaved a sigh of relief. Prince Khema called out “Guards…Guards… “(from his chamber). They came running in; “Yes Prince Khema..."(kneeling before him). Heavy footsteps followed, it was Sarvin who rushed over to see Prince Khema when being informed. Sarvin helped Prince Khema to prepare for the morning though it was still dawn.

Helper: Prince Khema related to Sarvin what he experienced in his dream.

“I saw myself at the foot of a mountain where I stood, the other side was a cliff! I seemed trapped here and the only way out was to follow a light flickering from a far on the mountain… Someone must be staying there…I called out, but no one seemed to hear me. It was cold, dark and slippery. The flickering light seemed out of reach. Will I ever reached it? At the same time the light gave me the HOPE to strive on.
As I climbed up the mountain I slipped many times...I got up again. When I felt breathless; I stopped… grounded myself, take a breather and slowly walked again. I could not remember how long it took; I kept on walking ahead. At one point I just can't take another step. The load is so heavy on my shoulders. The loneliness and sadness embedded over the years seemed to be lighter at every step I made forward.
Suddenly the flickering light was in front of me! The air around was warm and had a fresh scent of bunga melor flowers... I stopped and saw an old man sat on a stool surrounded by abundant rows of white color bunga melor. He gave me a warm smile and invited me to sit beside him. The features of the old man fitted those of wise man Baloo which Sarvin mentioned to me. He had long silvery hair, blue eyes and a big smile...He was dressed in white flowing robes.

Turning Point: Yes, he was wise man Baloo, he must have received the message from Koki the bird. He spoke to me in a strange language… however I was able to understand what he said. The sparkle of light in me lit up. The words from wise old man Baloo:

" The magic power that comes with our humanity isn’t a shield protecting us from misfortune but an inner strength that helps us deal with it, overcome it, and learn from it so we can still find love, laughter, and joy despite it.

At our lowest moments, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. All we need is the faith and moral courage to find the spark within that, with just a puff of hope, can become a flame bright enough to show us the way out.

“We could bear any burden if we thought there was a meaning to what we were doing.The bad things that happen do not have a meaning or happen for any good reason which would cause us to accept them willingly. But we can give them a meaning.”

In the midst of despair, being reminded that tomorrow is another day provides no comfort because it’s hard to believe tomorrow will be any better. But Tomorrow is the doorway to the future, and that’s where we’ll live the rest of our lives.

It leads us to discover sources of consolation we never knew before, and then we make the person into a witness for the affirmation of life rather than its rejection.

Prince Khema was overwhelmed with tears when he finished telling his encounter with wise man Baloo. Since then he had learned to overcome his loneliness and found happiness with himself and his people. The wisdom words of Baloo continues to ring in his ears.

Aftermath: Prince Khema became King Khema some years later when King Vama passed on. King Khema became the wisdom king and brought joy and happiness to the people in the kingdom of Sati.

~ The end ~

*The story of the Lonely Prince was written on a 6part story format. At times of sadness, stories emerged and the storyteller has to find strength and meaning to the story told, journeying with the Lonely Prince in search of an answer .........

The Magic Stone

In the village of Dama there was a little girl named Mudit; a bubbly and cheerful girl. She loved to read and thus helped her to be a good story teller for the other children in the village. They gathered under the old Angsa tree in the late afternoon which had its branches spreading wide giving shade and warmth to the children while listening to Mudit telling stories. Sometimes they acted on the stories being told to the older folks in the village. It was always a joy to the old folks to see the children’s giggle, laughter and acts as they amused them.

One fateful night when all was quiet and calm in Dama village, the sound of thunder and flashes of lightning continuously woke the villagers. It looked as though the gates in heaven were opened as rain came in sheets onto this village. The next moment the water level in the village continued to rise …up and up…to the door, the windows and the roof.

In Mudit’s home, the water level was rising from the ground. Mudit had a cat, Cittas and she put it in a cloth bag, strapped it closed to her body. First papa helped mama to climb out from the window and secured her position on the thatched roof. Papa came back for Mudit and slowly helped her to secure her position on the roof with mama holding to her cold wet hand. By sitting on the roof, the hope of being rescue was higher as it was impossible to be inside the house which was almost submerged in water.

When mama was trying to secure her position on the roof with Mudit, she slipped! Mudit shouted “mama…mama…ma…” Papa immediately jumped into the water trying to hold mama’s hand. Mudit shouted “papa…papa…pa…” Papa replied: ‘Mudit hold tight, help will come, don’t let go.”

Gripping hard on the roof just as her father had instructed, she kept on crying out loud, “Papa…papa …mama…mama don’t leave me here. PAPA..MAMA don’t leave me here...” as she watched helplessly, her papa and mama being carried away by the strong current of water. Her cries from frantic loud voices gradually reduced to a whimper as exhaustion and cold overcame her. The rain continued to beat on her lean and exhausted body mercilessly…

Mudit found herself in a strange place when she opened her eyes. This is not her room and all of a sudden she remembered the rain and the flood. Fear gripped her, where is papa and mama? The sound from the outside of her room distracted her thoughts. Maybe Papa and Mama cooking outside, she thought… Her spirit lifted and she ran to the door as she couldn’t wait to meet papa and mama.

When she saw the back of the lady washing dishes by the sink, she rushed towards her and hugged her leg in a tight embrace. “Mama…Mama… I am so glad you are safe. I am so scared that I will not see you again.” She lifted her head to look at the lady as she sensed the lady was turning towards her. When their eyes met, shock went through Mudit’s body. She blurred out, “You are not my Mama, Where is my mama? Where is my mama?

The lady with the gentle eyes held her closely and looked into her face and said, “I am Auntie Mina and you must be Mudit. Mudit did not answer and gazed aimlessly, lost in the far distance. In her heart Mudit was longing for mama and papa. For the next few days, Mudit was housed together with 7 children whose parents were yet to be found. Mudit kept close to herself and hardly talked to the other children in the village though they knew one another.

Everyday Mudit cried upon waking up. The only time she did not cry was when she fell asleep. Infact she cried herself to sleep. She blamed herself for not jumping into the water to save mama and papa.” She started to cry again, big tear drops swelled out from the eyes. She dropped to the ground and cried her heart out as fear sunk in that she will not see mama and papa again.

The water level had subsided and Mudit walked to the old Angsana tree where all the children used to gather for story time in the past. There were fewer children now and even as they gathered there, they looked at one another aimlessly…their laughter, giggles and smiles were no longer visible. What had left behind around the old Angsa tree were empty bottles, tins, pots, plates, clothes washed out from the villagers’ homes.

Every time when Aunty Mina coaxed her to eat, she said; “I will wait for mama and papa. I want to eat with them.” Aunty Mina was very concerned over Mudit’s health. She said, “Mudit you have to eat a little...What will your Mama and Papa say when they see you loss so much weight….Everyone in the village is out helping to search for your papa and mama. Papa wants you to be strong so that you can help mama in the house. There is so much work to do… clean the house, the clothes, the furniture, the pots, the plates…” Mudit looked up into Aunty Mina’s eyes. She searched her face carefully and said, “Is papa and mama coming back? Are they not dead?”

Aunty Mina held back her tears and said, “Mudit, your papa and mama are still missing. So long as no one found their bodies. There is always a hope that they are still alive. You obeyed your papa’s instruction to stay on the roof and waited for the rescue. If he was here, papa would say – Mudit stay strong.”

Mudit eyes lighted up, said: “Yes, I know papa would said that because he is my papa and also my strong hero. I want to be strong like papa and mama. But… What happened if they are hurt?”

I am sure your papa is such a strongman he will be able to look after himself and your mama. Eat dear, stay strong while we wait for your papa and mama’s news,” said Aunty Mina

One week had passed, still no news on papa and mama. Mudit’s hope of seeing papa and mama was getting dimmer. She started to cry quietly on her own at night as she overheard some of the villagers were giving up the search. “Papa, mama where are you? Give me sign so that I can tell the villagers where to look for you. Please papa, tell me where to find you” she prayed in desperation. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks shamelessly.

The next morning, as she was going through the routine of washing the clothes, her mind was far away wondering what had happened to her papa and mama. Suddenly, the quick running steps broke her out of her trance. She looked up and saw Aunty Mina running towards her. Aunty Mina must have some news regarding mama and papa, she thought. Without a moment of hesitation, she pushed away the bucket of wet clothes and ran towards Aunty Mina’s direction.

“Aunty Mina, you have news about papa and mama?” cried Mudit.

“err… yes Mudit… ” said Aunty Mina in a choking voice.

“MAMA and PAPA… ” said Mudit, as she couldn’t contain herself anymore.

“The villagers found your papa and mama, both were badly injured. I am sorry to tell you that they passed away on the way to the hospital. Before your papa died, he told me to give this black stone to you as it is very important to him and you. I am so sorry Mudit” said Aunty Mina not able to hold back the tears as she placed the stone into Mudit’s hand.

Mudit took the stone and began to gently rub it against her cheek. Tears were rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. She fell to her knees and wailed shamelessly at the same time rubbing the stone against her cheek. After a while, she got on to her feet and said, “Aunty Mina, can you please takes me to the hospital. I want to see my papa and mama…”

The following week Mudit moved into a children’s home since both her parents had passed away. She always had the ‘black stone’ in her pocket and would take it out, cupped it in her palm and put it against her cheek. She felt the coldness yet smoothness of the stone, tears rolled down from her eyes and onto the ‘special stone’. She felt the dampness of her tears on the stone. She whispered: “mama… papa…I missed you both, what am I going to do being alone?”

A voice seemed to be emerging from the special-stone which was still cupped on her palm against her check. “Be strong my child…be strong my child…” For a moment, Mudit gazed at the stone, wiped the tears and put the stone into her pocket. It somehow gave her a little strength day by day…

By nightfall, when all the other children were asleep Mudit lay quietly by herself holding the stone in her palm looking out to the sky. Mudit rubbed the stone slowly and she felt her body was numbed as some force seemed to take over. The next moment she realized she was a big strong and kind Cheetah, protecting all the other children who have lost their parents in the freak floods. Cheetah had a kind heart of not harming the other children. When Cheetah rubbed the stone she was turned back into Mudit. The cheetah wisdom stayed with her always.

When Mudit woke up the next morning, she remembered the story of the ‘magic stone’ from Papa. The Magic stone was grasped on her palm. Mudit placed it close to her cheek again, closed her eyes and felt the warmth of the stone and smiled...

As the days went by, slowly the children gathered their strength, supporting and cheering one another. A kind lady brought some story books over to the children’s home and soon Mudit started reading and a bit of storytelling to the children. Her favourite story was the ‘Magic stone and the little girl’… and Mudit will act the ‘cheetah.’

“What was the secret of the black stone? Looks like it has some magic power on Mudit” When Mudit was little, she used to have frequent bad dreams. It used to scare her and she hated bedtime. When papa came to know about it, papa showed her his magic stone that made him strong and brave. He rubbed the stone against her cheek because the stone will turned into a cheetah to protect his little princess from the dream’s monsters. Since then, every night without fail papa will rub the stone against her cheek before she went to bed. Now she was not afraid of the bad dreams monsters anymore. But she continued to rub the stone before going to bed because the stone now helped her to sense the presence of her parents.

“Even though I missed them physically, but I can sense their presence in my heart whenever I rubbed the stone against my cheek. I can hear papa and mama’s voice telling me to be strong like a cheetah,” said Mudit.

--The End --

It was a most difficult story to write... emotions were evoked, I had to pause, continue the next day, paused again.... before I could start again. Getting it to fit into the framework, the problem not being able to resolve.... How deep or what level of pain I want to take this child to go through? Lines were changed when I went back in to continue writing...hmmm wonder what is the reason to change the lines?

Will read this to children and see what the response will be as we both go on this therapeutic journey together within our space.

*Not able to work it out on audacity yet as I will need to consult my ALS team member to teach me.